The phenomenon of jellyfish outbreak is due, among other things, to climate change, overfishing, but also organic pollution, said Professor Hariton Charles Hintiroglou
“Thousands of people meet in the seas of Halkidiki the purple jellyfish, also known as “pelagia noctiluca”. The above transfers to GRTimes the professor of the Department of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hariton-Charles Hintiroglou, talking about the phenomenon of the intense appearance of jellyfish in the Greek seas. He also emphasizes that in 1978, this phenomenon, “had destroyed the tourist product in Halkidiki and people were running to bathe looking at the, wind, as the north pulled the jellyfish out of the seas, while the south sent them back in. ».
According to Mr. Hintiroglou, a recent study by an American university in the North Pacific Oceanproved that the phenomenon of jellyfish outbreaks It is due, among other things, to climate change, overfishing, but also the eutrophication of the seas, ie organic pollution.
As the professor further describes, “pelagia noctiluca, also known as nettle, is not a common species and has appeared since last November in Halkidiki. It leaves behind a -potentially- toxic mucus that contains urticaria cells which erupt when we approach it. It is a substance that we can not distinguish with our eyes. “
He even explains that this is another reason not to try to remove them from the marine environment and transport them to shore. “Five jellyfish to take out of the sea, the beach will be filled with mucus that carries toxins, which cause itching,” he says.
What to do in case of jellyfish sting
In addition, Mr. Hintiroglou emphasizes that anyone who is allergic, should avoid swimming in an area where there is an increased number of jellyfish, stressing that “allergic, those who go to sea with young children and bathers in general, should to be a little more careful. So it would be good to have with us a medicine for bites and in case they bite us, to rinse the spot with clean water and then to spread our ointment “.
Regarding now, the period during which the purple jellyfish will remain in Greek waters by thousands of people, Mr. Hintiroglou estimates that the phenomenon will not be permanent. “It will last 3-5 years. We are in the second year of the boom “he says specifically.
“No need to panic and hysteria”
According to the expert, we will see these jellyfish on the surface of the sea, “to which they ascend with spasmodic movements of their circular muscular system”. As he further explains, “it is the biggest competitor of fish, as when they show population outbreaks, they consume zooplankton en masse, depriving it of fish and reducing their population.”
In addition, the professor describes that following last year’s treaty, “the rare phenomenon with the appearance of aurelia aurita, or jellyfish of the moon, remains intense in the sea of ​​Thermaikos.” Which, as he says, “is not at all common, as these jellyfish are strange to appear in our waters from May.”
In any case, however, the professor of the Department of Biology at AUTh, recommends composure. As he characteristically emphasizes: “there is no need to panic and hysteria, we just need to show a little more attention”.
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